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Breaded and Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Breaded and Baked Chicken Drumsticks

What's there not to love about chicken drumsticks? They're dark meat (more flavor), relatively inexpensive (certainly compared to boneless skinless breasts), they cook up quickly (half an hour in the oven), you can save the leftover bones for making stock, they're kid-friendly (have you ever met a kid who didn't like drumsticks?), and they even come with built-in nifty handles (so you can eat like King Henry VIII).

There are many ways to do breaded and baked drumsticks (see list of recipes from other bloggers at the bottom of this recipe). This particular recipe uses a mayonnaise and mustard mixture as a first coating, then some breadcrumbs with chives for the breadcrumb coating. You could just as easily use a beaten egg for the first coat (you need something for the breadcrumbs to adhere to), and a mixture of breadcrumbs, panko, grated Parmesan, lemon zest, tarragon, or thyme for the bread crumb coating. You can also brown the drumsticks first on the stovetop and then transfer the pan to the oven (helps to use a cast iron pan if doing it this way).

Do you have a favorite way to prepare breaded drumsticks? A favorite breadcrumb coating combination? If so, please let us know about it in the comments.

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Breaded and Baked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Recipe adapted from a Deviled Drumsticks recipe in Bon Appetit, March 2001.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Dijon or whole grain mustard
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
  • 2 Tbsp finely chopped chives or green onion greens
  • Salt
  • 6 large chicken drumsticks, about 1 1/3 lbs
  • Olive oil

Method

1 Place rack on upper third of oven. Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat the bottom of a shallow roasting pan or baking sheet with a thin layer of olive oil.

2 Mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium bowl. Mix together the breadcrumbs and minced chives in a separate medium bowl.

3 Sprinkle each drumstick with salt. One by one, dip each drumstick in the mayonnaise mixture, turning to coat. Then dip the drumstick in the breadcrumbs mixture, turning to coat. Place the drumsticks on the prepared roasting pan.

4 Bake chicken for 20-25 minutes, until just cooked through, and juices run clear (not pink) when poked with a sharp knife.

Serves 4-6.

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56 Comments

I think it helps to use a shallow pan, like a cookie sheet, to get the coating crisp. Also, if you have a convection setting in your oven, this is a great application -- but again, requires a shallow pan.

Good point. We used a shallow roasting pan which worked well. I've clarified the point in the instructions. ~Elise

Posted by: Lori on May 30, 2009 2:39 AM

I just posted a recipe this week for Buttermilk Baked Chicken that had a yummy breading/crust. I used chicken breasts, but no reason why you couldn't use it with drumsticks!

http://cleverkaren.blogspot.com/2009/05/buttermilk-baked-chicken.html

We usually make buttermilk fried chicken on the stovetop, but I can see it working in the oven too. Buttermilk is a great tenderizer. ~Elise

Posted by: Clever Karen on May 30, 2009 4:32 AM

I haven't done breaded chicken in ages. I used to use egg for the first coating, but I imagine the mayonnaise helps the breadcrumbs adhere more. And the thought of chives in there makes me hungry (despite its being 7:30 in the morning.)

Posted by: codfish on May 30, 2009 4:40 AM

Do you leave the skin on the drumsticks? I would take it off, but wonder if they would end up too dry that way.

Yes indeed, skin on. It helps keep the drumsticks from drying out. ~Elise

Posted by: dagcat on May 30, 2009 4:55 AM

Looks good and crunchy.

Posted by: ciaochowlinda on May 30, 2009 5:40 AM

Drumsticks are one of my favorite party foods because they have a natural handle and are such a versatile pallet for all combinations of flavors. I like the idea of Parmesan, thyme, and lemon. One of my favorite crumb coatings that I use on fish as well as chicken uses tamari-roasted pepitas as the main ingredient and it goes well with my favorite avocado and citrus salsa.

Tamari-roasted pepitas? Brilliant! I've also seen coatings that include chopped peanuts or pecans. ~Elise

Posted by: Natanya on May 30, 2009 6:31 AM

My kid will love this chicken recipe. Like you I love drumsticks and thighs.
I really like the combination of chives and mustard. Great recipe as always!

Posted by: Erica on May 30, 2009 6:54 AM

Hah, my mom always called this "oven fried chicken" when I was a kid, because she never made real fried chicken but she thought the name would convince me it was close enough. And I guess it worked, because I still make it fairly often now that I'm on my own.

Her secret was a layer of flour mixed with some salt and pepper before the "wet" layer, which makes it super crispy. After the flour came beaten egg with some milk splashed in - I now add a few drops of hot sauce here too - and then breadcrumbs with parmesean. And she usually used the cut up parts of an entire chicken, but all I ate were the drumsticks, because they are always the best part!

I'm really intrigued by your mustard/mayo combination, I just might have to give it a go next time around.

Hi Joana, that's a good reminder of that technique, thank you. Yes, dredging the chicken in seasoned flour first, before a beaten egg, will help make the crust even crunchier. Love the idea of the hot sauce too, thank you! ~Elise

Posted by: Joanna on May 30, 2009 7:41 AM

Thanks Elise! I have two packages of drumsticks just kinda hanging out in my freezer right now, and I was wondering what to do with them! this moves to the front of the queue!

Posted by: Larry on May 30, 2009 7:58 AM

Score another winner! Now I'm going to be one of those pesty commenters that sort of ignores the main focus of the post (drumsticks) to ask about a substitute. My family shies away from drumsticks but willingly eat thighs. Do you think this would work with thighs? Even skinless thighs? I was thinking the mayo and the naturally higher moisture in the dark meat might keep them from drying out too much. Might have to watch the timing a bit. Worth a try?

Yes on the thighs. As for removing the skin, I would never recommend that, if only because the roasted skin of a chicken thigh is one of the delights of the world. That and it does bathe the thigh in even more flavor while cooking and protects it from drying out. My father for some reason doesn't usually eat his thigh skins. I've begged them from him for over 40 years now. I would rather forgo dessert than skip the chicken thigh skins. That said, I truly have no idea how well the coating would protect the thigh if it were skinless. I suspect not that well. (But maybe I'm biased.) ~Elise

Posted by: TexasDeb on May 30, 2009 8:08 AM

Great recipe! I make something similar - I use almond flour instead of bread crumbs so it is gluten-free. Kids do love these - kids of all ages, that is.

Posted by: Erica on May 30, 2009 9:06 AM

We love them too. I mix dijon with beaten egg and use panko crumbs, but the premise is the same. They are great grub and worth a fight over who gets the leftovers! I agree re the skin - ya gotta' leave it on!

Posted by: June on May 30, 2009 11:29 AM

I've seen some pros on TV use, for the binding layer, eggwhite blended with a little flour to make it thick enough to stick on the whatever-is-being-oven-fried. Very flavorful when you use some nice spices in the flour. Advantage over mayonnaise: is far less fatty, especially if you are leaving the skin on (which is naughty).

Also good to use a baking grid in the pan so the whatever-it-is doesn't get soggy on the bottom.

Good tip on the baking grid, thanks! ~Elise

Posted by: Marye Blynne on May 30, 2009 11:51 AM

I haven't bought drumsticks for years. This recipe looks so good, I'm heading out to get some tonight. I can't wait to try this...Thanks for the great dinner idea.

Posted by: Linda Cramer on May 30, 2009 12:08 PM

I've been inspired by this site for many a family meal and they've all been howling successes. To give a little bow to the greatness of this blog, I'd like to humbly pass on the Lemonade Award - an informal acknowledgment of appreciation between bloggers - for being an inspirational blog. Click back to my blog to find out how to pass it along.

Posted by: Figen on May 30, 2009 1:16 PM

The "oven-fried" method is the only one I've ever used -- the only one my mom ever used either. I've always done cornflake crumbs with some herbs and parmesan cheese, and the flour/egg/breading technique. Never thought of using mayonnaise as a binder, but the mustard and chives is very appealing!

Posted by: Robin on May 30, 2009 5:41 PM

Here's my baked friend chicken recipe.
1:Take off the skin and dip them in light ranch dressing.
2: Roll the ranch coated chicken legs in instant mashed potato flakes.
3: Bake for oven fried chicken that tastes like southern fried.

Posted by: Susan W on May 30, 2009 9:39 PM

I love this dish, I have been making it for years. It is so simple and cheap to make. I put thyme and coriander in my breadcrumbs and you dip it in condensed milk mixed with 1 egg first.

Posted by: passions & soapboxes on May 30, 2009 11:20 PM

We use a mixture of Rice flour, corn flour with chili powder (cayenne), ginger garlic paste. marinate for half hour or so. This is of course mostly the indian way of cooking...yours looks delicious, will try it out next time..thanks Elise!

Love the spicy combination. Also this seems to be gluten-free, great for those who cannot tolerate gluten. ~Elise

Posted by: Srivalli on May 31, 2009 12:28 AM

I love marinating mine in buttermilk and then coating them w/ Japanese breadcrumbs (and whatever)....

Aren't panko breadcrumbs the best? Everything is crispier with them. ~Elise

Posted by: Amy on May 31, 2009 2:02 AM

OK you guys, I read all these comments after looking at the picture for awhile. I already have all the ingredients and that is what the kids are getting today. Thanks so much.

Posted by: marlene on May 31, 2009 7:34 AM

Your original and many of the comments sound excellent. I think another type of breading is also very good. I often use matzoh meal with a hefty dose of garlic and onion powders and ground cayenne pepper (not chili powder)mixed in with the crumbs. Love your site!

Posted by: Peter Albertson on May 31, 2009 7:55 AM

My family's favorite oven-fried chicken recipe is from Sunset 2004. As a new bride that year it was nice to get a thumbs up with this. Dip cut up chicken pieces in beaten eggs. Coat with mixture of 1 1/2 cup bread crumbs, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 3/4 tsp of ground ancho chiles or chili powder. Bake on foiled line baking pan about one hour. Of course Sunset starts with making your own bread crumbs, but I usually use the store bought unless I have the end of a loaf lying around.

Sounds like a great Southwestern version, thanks! I bet chipotle powder would work with this too. ~Elise

Posted by: susan on May 31, 2009 8:54 AM

I just made oven "fried" chicken two days ago, but I indeed did the unthinkable and removed the skin from the chicken legs I used. Though I am an adamant a lover of the skin as Elise (no argument here that it is the best part!), we are trying to cut back where we can and we rarely eat the skin now. While it is true, you lose a lot of moisture when you remove the skin, it is still pretty darn good when you don't. Happy cooking! ...and Elise...I love your site!

Good to know that it's still good, even without the skin. Thanks Stacey! ~Elise

Posted by: stacey on May 31, 2009 11:13 AM

Yum! My favorite is using a plain yogurt/whole-grain mustard mix for the wet layer and ground Cheerios, parmesan cheese, garlic salt, pepper, and thyme for the crumb coating.

Posted by: Stephanie on May 31, 2009 11:32 AM

I did a version a couple of weeks ago from an old Farm Journal cookbook. It had lots herbs, but the breading was a combination of saltines, cheese flavored crackers (like Cheez-Its), and Parmesan cheese, then before popping it in the oven butter is drizzled over the chicken. I love oven fried chicken. Most often I use a combination of legs and thighs.

The recipe can be found here.
http://kbsoupkitchen.blogspot.com/2009/05/crisp-oven-fried-chicken.html

Posted by: Karen on May 31, 2009 6:56 PM

I have 2 favourite recipes. First, I too, use mayo to coat the chicken, then I mix instant potato flakes with parm, fresh minced parsley, garlic powder, a bit of cayenne and freshly ground pepper. Dredge the mayo coated chicken (I usually do a whole cut-up chicken) in the potato flake mixture, and bake. Secondly, I make the 'new' French's fried onion recipe, except I use mayo here as well rather than the beaten egg the recipe calls for, then dredge in crushed fried onions to which I add just a hint of spice with a bit of cayenne, or a bit of the 'sauce' from canned chipotles mixed in with the mayo. Bake. It's all good. And, BTW, I usually leave the skin on, but when I have company who I know is 'picky' about fat content, I take the skin off first, and it's still pretty good. (Of course, I try to keep the mayo I used a secret...LOL!) Oh, yeah, I always put the chicken on a rack in the baking pan so any extra fat can drain off.

Posted by: carolinadewitte on May 31, 2009 7:18 PM

I used to hate drumsticks due to the little tendon pieces that would curl up at the base of the drumsticks.

Then I learned the trick to hit them with a cleaver to break the bone and cut the bottoms of the tendons and the lower knuckle off.

It looks weird before cooking, but the heat pulls the meat up and you still have the handle after the drumstick is done. No more pesty tendon pieces!

Thanks Elise for the recipe, I'm going to give it a try!

Posted by: love thighs, now love drumsticks also on May 31, 2009 8:22 PM

Thanks for the recipe- we'll try it out tonight. Our favorite oven baked chicken is....1/3 c butter melted in baking pan.
Dredge 4# chicken legs in 1/2c flour, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp pepper
Bake chicken skin side down in pan 30 min. at 425 degrees. Turn pieces, bake additional 15 min. So good....my family is always thrilled when I say that is on the menu for dinner.

Posted by: lola meyer on June 1, 2009 12:31 AM

I have 2 favorite breaded chicken Recipes: 1) Corn Flake Chicken 2) Falafel Crusted Chicken. This recipe is a winner too: Mashed Potato Stuffed Chicken you use Bone In Chicken Breasts.

Posted by: ROZ on June 1, 2009 12:39 AM

One question: what are panko breadcrumbs? and is there a similar thing available in the UK?

Panko breadcrumbs are a Japanese product. Because of a specialized production process these breadcrumbs are especially crisp. No idea if they are available in the UK. ~Elise

Posted by: wies on June 1, 2009 3:49 AM

I have 2 favorite ways to make Breaded Chicken
first way is Using Corn Flakes Crumbs and the Second way is Using a falafel mix to Dip the Chicken In.
Both comes out with a Great Crust.

Posted by: ROZ on June 1, 2009 9:39 AM

Those look great. I love that they make great left over lunch the next day as well.

Posted by: Sylvie on June 1, 2009 9:40 AM

We make what we call Krispy Chicken. Use any chicken parts you like, boneless or bone in. Dip pieces in butter or margarine to coat. Next press chicken into partially crushed Rice Krispies cereal. Sprinkle liberally with seasoned salt and pepper. Bake at 375 til done. So Yummy

Posted by: glenda on June 1, 2009 11:19 AM

I like to do chicken breast this way but you could do any cut of chicken you like.

1/4 cup sour cream or mayo
Sriracha hot sauce to taste
salt and pepper

Coat chicken in the above ingredients then coat in bread crumbs or panko.

Bake on a cooling rack sprayed with a light coating of oil, set over a baking sheet.

I think I cook them for like 18 - 20 mins, breast pieces cut into thin strips... but bone-in will obviously take longer. Dip in a mixture of mayo and sriracha, serve with salad.

Posted by: Annalisa on June 1, 2009 11:31 AM

Oh one more way that I found in Gourmet Magazine:

Grind a few cups of tortilla chips in the processor with salt, pepper, chili powder. and cumin powder (i think thats it?)

Beat an egg with more chili powder and cumin.

Dip your drum sticks in the egg and then in the ground chips and bake in the oven for like 30 mins I think? I think it was a high temp, maybe 400? 425? NEway, they were good and something different.

Cool, another take on a TexMex or Southwestern version. We don't usually have tortilla chips hanging around, but if we did, this would be a good use of them. Thanks! ~Elise

Posted by: annalisa on June 1, 2009 11:35 AM

I also use cornflakes as a crust. The recipe I use is based on a Weight Watchers recipe and it is also gluten free. I use a light mayo, dijon and lemon juice mixture to coat the chicken, then roll in crushed cornflakes. Sometimes I use chicken tenders which turn out like chicken strips. Low fat for me and gluten free for my husband!

Last time I checked Kellogg's corn flakes were not gluten-free, they contain barley malt which has gluten. I'm assuming you using a different, gluten-free brand? ~Elise

Posted by: Alecia on June 1, 2009 12:15 PM

Yum! That looks so good! When you say coat pan with thin layer of olive oil, is is just brushed into bottom or poured to 1/8 inch or so.

Just brushed. You can also use a vegetable oil spray, but we tend just to spread a bit of olive oil over the bottom with a paper towel. ~Elise

Posted by: Debo Hobo on June 1, 2009 12:52 PM

Great recipe but for those of us on a low fat diet removing the skin is a must. I do this all the time and it is just as delicious, especially when you use mayo. The mayo keeps it quite moist. I find it very greasy with the skin on.

Posted by: Penny on June 1, 2009 3:21 PM

I cooked for 30 minutes at 425 and chicken was not cooked through.

Really depends on the size of the drumsticks. The timing is just a guideline. Other factors come into play too, the shape and color of the roasting pan you are using, the configuration of your oven, etc. ~Elise

Posted by: Mary on June 1, 2009 4:07 PM

Thanks for the link to my Lemon Garlic Drumstick recipe. :-)

I like how you include dijon mustard in this recipe, as I love it! I think it makes salad dressing and many chicken recipes sparkle.

This recipe reminds me of my mom's fried chicken recipe. Yum. Yum, Yum.

Posted by: Kimi @ The Nourishing Gourmet on June 1, 2009 6:34 PM

In My family they rather have Chicken than
anything else so I have to be very creative.
This is one of their favorite:
Mustard Baked Chicken With A Pretzel Crust
1/2lb Hard Pretzels,coarsely crushed(4cups)
1/2Cup Canola Oil>>1/2Cup whole grain mustard
2Tbs Dijon Mustard>>1/4Cup Water>>3Tbs red wine vinegar>>Salt & Pepper to taste>>6 Chicken
legs. Process Pretzels until coarsely ground.Wipe out Processor & Add the oil,whole-grain and dijon mustards,water & vinegar & process until smooth,then season with salt & pepper. Pour half of the dressing into a large shallow bowl, add the chicken and turn to coat.Dredge chicken in the pretzel crumbs and transfer to a baking sheet.Bake at 350 until done. Serve the chicken with the remaining mustard dressing.
ITS ESSENTIAL TO USE THICK HARD PRETZEL SUCH AS SOURDOUGH OR ANY OTHER KIND OF YOUR CHOICE.

Posted by: ROZ on June 1, 2009 9:17 PM

For my crust I like to use crushed stuffing mix like Stove-Top any flavor. It also works great in meatloaf.

Posted by: Patti Fisher on June 1, 2009 9:19 PM

I like my chicken to have a bit of kick so I will use a beaten egg with sriracha and tamari sauce, and for coating use a mix of toasted panko and cornmeal, which is also good on baked or fried fish.

Posted by: Elisa on June 2, 2009 7:38 AM

Hi Elise - you are correct, I don't use Kellogg's Cornflakes since they aren't gluten free. I use Nature's Path Cornflakes, there are other brands available as well.

Posted by: Alecia on June 2, 2009 11:11 AM

Maybe a stupid question, Elise, but do you flip the drumsticks during the cooking process, or just leave the door closed the entire time? Love your blog, and have found a lot of great dishes here. Keep it up.

Thanks for the kudos. I did not flip the drumsticks, just let them be. You could turn them if you wanted, but you might risk losing some of that breading. ~Elise

Posted by: mike on June 3, 2009 7:33 AM

Thanks for the good idea - I tried a slightly Asian version (ginger, garlic, and then sesame seeds mixed with the breading) and served them alongside Jaden's noodle recipe posted earlier. Yum!

Posted by: k on June 3, 2009 6:16 PM

Quick (and possibly dumb) question. Why top third of oven for the rack? will it burn/be too hot in the middle or bottom third? thanks

Cooking in the top third of the oven will help the chicken drumsticks brown. ~Elise

Posted by: Albert on June 4, 2009 12:00 PM

Hi! I really like your blog. I made this recipe last weekend, except I didn't have dijon mustard so I just used regular mustard and omitted the Worchestershire sauce because I didnt have that as well. I floured the chicken legs in a mixture of flour, salt, black pepper and red chili powder before the wet bath and the bread crumbs. I fried them instead of baking and they were so good! I'm sure they would taste just as amazing baked.

Posted by: Rumana on June 5, 2009 2:04 PM

Got the email, highlighting this recipe, thought I would try it, saw 3 lbs of drumsticks on sale. I tripled the recipe, and it salted it first with Kosher Salt, then dredged it first (like one of the reviews recommended) in the bread crumbs, then the moist mixture, then the bread crumbs again. It did not come out crispy. I turned it over after 20 minutes, and still gave it another 10 minutes. My child never said a word, which means she did not like it. I thought I may have put too much salt on it, and I think it would have been better if crisper. The meat was nice and moist though. I will make it differently next time, and will try using yogurt. I have LOTS of leftovers, that I will freeze. Not my most favorite recipe, but I liked trying something totally new.

Posted by: Janice on June 5, 2009 4:47 PM


A good substiute for panko crumbs if you can't find them is

Cut the day old bread into one inch thick slices. Remove the crusts and cut into 1 inch cubes.

Using a food processor, process the bread cubes in batches at high and pulsing speeds until the cubes become coarse crumbs.

Spread the crumbs evenly over two large baking pans.

Bake in a preheated 300F oven for 4 minutes, agitate the pans, and bake for another 4 minutes. Do not allow the breadcrumbs to brown.

Once removed from the oven, allow the breadcrumbs to cool in their pans for at least an hour. Breadcrumbs must be completely dry to the touch before being stored at room temperature in an air-tight container.

Will keep for several weeks. Yield from a 700g French loaf is about 4 cups.

P.S. Panko crumbs can be at home from making and baking a loaf of Japanese Milk Bread then do the above method.

Posted by: Linda In Washington State on June 5, 2009 10:16 PM

This is absolutely beautiful. I think it's a nice retake on the usual chicken drumsticks. I also like the addition of mustard and mayo, which I have not tried before with chicken. Will test this out on the kids.

Posted by: Gourmet Mama on June 5, 2009 10:38 PM

I made this and it turned out great although I did need to cook it longer. Added another 30 minutes at 350 F. I find that the meat is more "relaxed" that way.

Posted by: Nurit - 1 family. friendly. food. on June 30, 2009 10:49 PM

I did finally try this recipe and it was so delicious... the chicken just melted off the bones when it was time to eat them... even my nephews fell in love witht the taste...think I will use this recipe each time I make chicken drumsticks...my husband is so fussy and even he liked the taste...GREAT RECIPE...

Posted by: RoseMarie on July 2, 2009 6:56 AM

Hi, I just tried this awhile ago, my hubby and my kids super duper loved it. I hesitated to do it at first because I thought the mayo and mustard might turn my chicken sour, but I was wrong. It turned out great and tasted really good. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by: jen on July 16, 2009 6:10 PM

HI, this recipe sounds delicious! I am a young wife trying to find new recipes to cook for my husband. I was wondering if you have any favorite breadcrumbs that you use for this dish. I have tried a brand called Vigo Italian style breadcrumbs and they were very good. They had a recipe on them for fried artichokes. I ventured out and tried the fried artichokes and they turned out really good. Do you think this brand will do?

We always make our own bread crumbs. We save the ends of loaves in a plastic bag. When we need crumbs, we pull out some, chop them, and put them in a blender. Any extra we keep in a jar. ~Elise

Posted by: Tinasee on September 28, 2009 6:30 AM

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